Why do you practice golf? To look good on the driving range now — or to perform better on the golf course later? Probably the latter. And if you are as time-crunched as most of us in this day and age, you must make those precious practice moments truly count.
Finding time to practice isn’t always easy, so it’s important that you do so in a way that is both effective and efficient. Luckily for you, that’s something I’ve spent years researching and cultivating. Check out below for three absolute musts for effective practice, straight from my Train2Trust program.
3 keys for great practice
1. Practice like you play
If what it is you’re learning and practicing isn’t going to stick and transfer to the golf course — why bother? The principle of context specificity is a good place to start. Basically, it states that the more your practice looks and feels like an actual round of golf, the more it will transfer to the “playing field.” And the less it looks and feels like a round of golf (or a competitive round of golf), the less it will transfer.
So the next time you’re on the practice tee, consider adding a simulated nine holes into your regime. Create imaginary fairways for tee shots, range targets to represent the middle of the greens and holes on the practice green to chip to.
When you’re doing this, only take one shot for each target, just like when you play. Go through your entire pre- and post-shot routines, and even hit some shots from poor lies. The more your practice simulates what you see on the course, the better it will transfer when you actually get out there.
2. Always get feedback
It’s tough to grow, learn or improve at most anything without feedback. How are you receiving yours when you practice? Sure, the golf ball itself tells a story, but are you taking in accurate, relevant and timely feedback from trusted sources?
Consider 2D video (an oldie but goodie) that you can do yourself with a phone and tripod. Make sure you (or your coach) have made an accurate diagnosis and assessment of your golf swing so you know what to look for. There is a bunch of cause and effect in why a golf ball reacts the way it does, so you must have a crystal-clear idea of both potential flaws and useful remedies.
There is no substitute for a competent and savvy instructor. Someone who knows your swing, your tendencies and your patterns. We all respond differently to various modalities, but the best teachers identifies what “floats your boat,” then nourishes you accordingly.
3. Establish consequences
The game itself is full of consequences. Sadly, when recreational golfers practice, there is often little to no consequence. How then are you supposed to shift gears and experience the stress that comes from consequences, if you never practice it?
That’s why it’s important to add consequences into your practice routines. Play a friend for some cash or just bragging rights. Gamify your own practice with some sort of penalty for not succeeding. How about playing nine holes with just one golf ball? You lose it, you head into the clubhouse. There are many options here.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: golf.com
